I tried to stretch this chapter out as long as I could, at least it is longer than the last chapter! Also, once you are done reading this, look at the bottom! I got a question!

Disclaimer: refer to chapters 1 or 2

Chapter 6: Unexpected visitors

Thump.

Mom? What's she doing up? It's about two in the morning. Could she be sick?

I strained my ears. Muffled voices? My mom and I live alone. Could it be one of the neighbors? No, you couldn't hear anything through the thick apartment walls. And it definitely could not be a TV. We don't own one. Who or what could it be?

I threw my covers off of me and got out of my bed. As soon as my toes touched the hard wood floor, I went to my dresser and grabbed a kunai. I swiftly went downstairs.

I began to go slower, until I was tip toeing, when I heard multiple voices and whimpering. A chill went down my spine. Could it be robbers? I pulled out the kunai and held it close. Though it wasn't much, at least it gave me a sense of protection.

I finished going down the stairs, I began to make my way to Mom's room. I stopped just before her door, just enough so no one could see me. I didn't try to leer around the door, that would be taking too many risks. Instead, I waited, trying to take in every word.

"Itachi-dono, why don't we search the place? It'd be a lot faster," said a cautious voice.

"No."

Cold air seeped through my lungs. I recognized that voice. My heart began to beat so fast that I thought for sure that it was going to attract the attention of the uninvited guests. I leaned against the wall for support. If I didn't act now, Mom might get hurt, and then, I wouldn't have anyone anymore. But, I'm too afraid. What if they kill me? What should I do? I gripped the kunai so hard that my knuckles turned white.

"She must learn," the voice continued. "Where is the troublesome incapable-ninja brat?!"

"Please...not Zeni," a barely audible voice whispered.

Mom!

"Answer me!" he roared.

"Zeni..."

I heard a body fall heavily to the floor, as it had been pushed with a strong force.

Tears began to spring into my eyes. My mom needed help, and here I was, in the shadows, cowering. I was afraid to die.

"Tell me! Do you wish to die like your husband?!"

"N-no," Mom said.

"Tell me or I will kill you both!"

"I-"

"Answer Itachi-dono!" the first man spat.

"Kisame, leave this to me," Itachi-dono said calmly. "Now, woman, tell me!"

"Don't hurt her, please. She's the only one I have," she sobbed.

"Do not put me in the middle of your family affairs! Tell me!"

"She-she's upstairs...please, don't hurt her...please."

I heard the second man chuckle. "Oh, is that so? Now, that wasn't so hard, was it? But, actually, I believe she is outside of the door this very minute. Shall we invite her in?"

Mom's sobbing grew harder.

My heart stopped. So he knew I was here all along. Ice rushed into my veins. I needed to run! But where? I placed one foot in front of mine slowly. But, before I could get even four paces far, a clammy hand wrapped around my neck. It wrenched me upward. I felt my back slam against the wall, so that I could face my assailant.

A man with distorted features on his that resembled a shark, smiled up at me. "We have been anxiously waiting to talk to you, Kinieto Zeni."

A broke out into a sweat. The shark-man didn't know that I held the kunai in my hand. I raised it into the air and brought it down across his face. He released me as he clutched his face with his hands. One of his hands flew out at me, smacking the kunai from my hand. He crumpled to the floor. I stood over him, not knowing where to go, where to hide. I began to make my way to the front door, but something grabbed my pant leg.

I shrieked when I saw the shark-man's bloody face. "Shut up, brat!" he snarled. "Come back!"

"Kisame!" a voice commanded. Kisame let go as he heard his master's voice. I crumpled to the floor, sobbing.

"Quiet, girl," said the voice. "Look up at me."

I couldn't do anything but obey. I slowly brought myself to look into his blood red eyes.

The man looked down at me. "Beg. Beg for your forgiveness."

"I'm sorry, Master," I whispered.

"Louder."

"I'm sorry, Master," I repeated, but louder as tears began going down my face.

"Good, now then, let us take care of important matters," he smiled as he kneeled beside me. "I believe Iruka-san put you on Team 7, am I mistaken?"

"No, sir," I mumbled, keeping my head down.

"Good, it's always nice to know that computers are so easy to deal with."

I looked up, confused.

"How else were you supposed to get on the team? We killed your first team because you were no use to us if you trained with them. You needed to be on Team 7."

I lowered my head, the tears flowing faster. So, it was my fault.

He put his hand under my chin, forcing me to look upward into his face. "Now, girl, listen to me carefully, unless you want your mother to be taken away too. There is a boy on your team named Uzamaki Naruto, correct?"

I bit my bottom lip. "Yes, sir," I mumbled.

"That boy is very special. I want you to keep him...preserved, until I come to you again, you understand that?"

"Yes, sir."

He stood up. "We must take our leave. Kisame?"

Kisame came up, still holding his face. "Yes, Itachi-dono."

Itachi smiled. "Let's go." He went over to the front door and opened it. He let Kisame go first. Then, he turned towards me, bowing mockingly. "Farewell, daughter of the famous Kinieto."

He turned to leave through the door too, but then, he turned back. "I also understand that Uchiha Sasuke is on your team. Tell him, that his brother is impatiently waiting for him to grow stronger."

And with that, he went out the door, and closed it, locking it behind him.

Reviewer Responses:

XoXSilverDragonXoX: I'm glad that you like it so far! And I'm glad that you told me your favorite pairing for this fic! Thanks for the happy compliments! And, happy belated Halloween to you too!

Demoneyes14: LOL! You remember the part where Sasuke tells Naruto to shut up in the last chapter? Well, Naruto was singing that same song! But I forgot to put it in there...oh well! Still funny!

swt-angel-babi: By action, what do you mean? I'm glad you like her personality! When are you gonna update! And yes, there will be pairings...

lukeluke: Yeah, it was short, but I really wanted to update, so yeah. Thanks for your happy compliments! Was this fast enough for an update?

Monkey Shoes: Thanks for the happy compliments!

ALL RIGHTY! NOW IT'S MY TURN! Finally, I thought I'd never get to this chapter...whoosh...and I updated a lot faster! w00t for me! Now, the people that are waiting for me to update on my other fics, have probably thought I've been neglecting them!

Okay, I have a question, so if Sasuke and Zeni are gonna pair up, then what do you think if Sakura pairs up with Lee and Naruto with Hinata? Even if it's a bit early? So, tell me what you guys think!

I'm sorry if Itachi and Kisame sounded OOC, but I tried my best.

Well, until next chapter, farewell my friends!

The more reviews I get, the quicker I will post!